If you’re considering a career change, heavy rigid trucking should be on your list! There are many benefits when you choose a career in heavy rigid driving. These include steady job growth, high pay and it’s an easy qualification. Now, let’s get to it and learn more about why you need your HR licence.

1. 1. Job Growth

HR truck driving is a career with steady job growth and options for employment. After you’ve received your HR licence, you won’t be going hungry. Right now, there are 5,224 jobs on Seek related to being an HR truck driver. As a whole, there are 201,000 current driving jobs in Australia.

HR truck driving has seen steady growth over the last five years. Jobs for HR licence graduates have risen from around 168,000 to about 201,000. And, this growth is set to continue to 2024, with an estimated 214,000 HR driving jobs.

Besides driving an HR truck, your HR licence allows you to drive buses, MRs and LRs. This adds another at 800 available jobs from bus driving alone.

2. 2. Above-average pay for HR licence graduates

Now, when you start your career, it’s natural to be earning a low amount. But, with HR truck driving, it’s possible to continue increasing your salary.

The average Australian wage is around 54,000 a year, and this is most likely your starting point. But, as you gain experience, it’s possible to earn around 75,000 a year.

And, another great option is to become an owner-operator of your vehicle. This is an added bonus that most jobs don’t have. By becoming an owner-operator, you increase your salary and can earn over six figures.

3. 3. Getting an HR licence is quick

Depending on your skill level you can become an HR licence graduate in just one day. It usually takes 8-9 hours but some people finish sooner while others need extra training. But, don’t worry, we will do our best to get you up to speed in no time.

The best way to get your HR licence quickly is to test for an Automatic/Synchromesh licence. This is because these trucks are much easier to drive and don’t need “double-declutching”. If you wish to get a Manual/Constant-mesh licence it’s best to have some experience first. Beginners typically need 20 to 50 hours of training until they’re good enough to get their HR licence.

These are some of the reasons why getting an HR licence and becoming an HR truck driver are a good career option. In what other jobs can you get qualified so quickly and receive a great wage and steady job growth? That’s why HR truck driving has seen steady job growth over the last 5 years. And, will continue to see growth in the future.

Now if you need more information, check out our HR licence program. Or, give us a call on 1300 655 934.

The New Year is here and if your new year’s resolution is to learn new skills, undertake study or try something different, then it’s worth thinking about obtaining your HR Licence. Having this type of licence might open up new opportunities for you in your organisation, workplace or business. It means you will be able to operate trucks and buses with a gross mass of more than eight tonnes, and with three or more axels and articulated vehicles. Having an HR Licence can also help you get a new job or change the industry in which you are working. There is a constant demand for workers who have the versatility to drive different trucks and busses. There are lots of opportunities existing in freight and logistics, domestic and interstate transport and tourism. We also meet a number of people who want to get their HR Licence to be able to do volunteer driving roles- taking charted groups of seniors or children on outings and excursions. If you are keen to do it, obtaining an HR Licence isn’t all that difficult. We will run you through the theoretical components you need to learn before getting behind the wheel and then also plenty of practice on the practical elements. Another component of our supportive course is defensive driving, which is really critical when it comes to driving such large vehicles. Because we are a Registered Training Organisation, once you are fully prepared, you will undertake the final competency test with us.

We All Learn Differently

Different people learn in different ways. Some people prefer to learn in a traditional way, through reading, studying and making notes. Some do really well watching instructional videos, while others still learn the best by practicing what it is they want to learn. Our trainers are accustomed to working with lots of different learners and will be able to help you learn the material required for the HR Licence. We know that some people feel a little apprehensive about the responsibility that comes with having to take a test. You can rest assured that our trainers will patiently help you learn the skills you need to ensure you are safe on the road. It’s important you select a training service that will be thorough when it comes to teaching you the necessities of the MR or HR Licences. We go above and beyond the basics to give you the most current content, and best practice skills. We don’t just do the bare bones of the course and we won’t rush you through without proper support and we won’t suggest you are ready to take the test until we really believe you are. It would be disappointing to think you had been sent to complete a test that you weren’t quite ready to pass. We really take the time to get to know our learners, so that we can alleviate any worries or fears and make sure you are completely ready to gain your HR Licence.

Braking Knowledge Is Vital

There have been some very unfortunate recent accidents involving faulty or misused braking systems. If you are using your HR Licence to carry out long hall drives, or you are travelling with a heavy vehicle through hilly or mountainous countryside, you really need to know all about the braking system in your truck. The truck’s brakes are linked to other systems because they use air to brake and rely on a compressor and the oil belt or gear to be able to function properly. To keep yourself, your passengers and other drivers safe, brake safety is critical. And did you know different trucks employ different types of braking systems? Exhaust brakes are used when drivers are in suburban areas, especially at night time. Exhaust brakes are quieter to use, but you do need to know the specifics of how and when to use them. Different again are Jake’s brakes which are a system that prevents damage when driving through hilly areas. We’ll teach you more about all this as you prepare to obtain your HR Licence, making sure you understand how to care for your brake systems and why it’s so very important to use the brakes effectively.

If you’re aiming to diversify what you can drive and further your truck or bus driving to an HR licence or Heavy Rigid Licence, then Kool Driving School is the way to go. The HR licence enables you to drive a truck or bus with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than eight tonnes and with three or more axles. It also allows you to drive bendy or articulated buses. Further to this, an HR licence equips you with the skills to drive a vehicle with a towed trailer of not more than nine tonnes in GVM. There are fifteen criterion for the HR licence and you gain one-on-one training with Kool Driving School. We are comprehensive on the theoretical and practical aspects of HR licence training and you will experience all there is to know about gaining your HR licence. We have you covered with defensive driving dealing with aggressive driver behaviour as well. Kool Driving School is a Member of the Australian Driver Trainers Association and is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in New South Wales. We adhere to Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) protocols and requirements and we hold a day’s training with exceptional trainers. Our courses for the Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR) and Heavy Rigid (HR) licences are accredited and we strongly-value our clientele. There are requirements for attaining the HR licence such as holding a full C class driver’s licence for twelve months or more or a P-Plater P2 licence. You will need to provide acceptable proof of identity and the fee that is required to be paid. Additionally, you need to complete a Licence Application Form and pass an eyesight test. Further to this, passing the KR licence knowledge test and providing a medical report if required is part and parcel of gaining your HR licence. Once you have passed these, you will be issued with a Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment logbook and you’ll log your driving within this practicing with your instructor.

Why Should You Become A Truck Driver?

Attractive pay schedules is one reason for people to gain their HR licence ad start driving trucks. You may commence on a lower pay grade than others but if you work hard and dedicate yourself to the role of being a truck driver, this will increase as you become more experienced. You can additionally work flexible hours as a truck driver and flexibility is key to succeeding in the role. Gaining your HR licence is attractive for driving heavy duty trucks and you can listen to music all day should you choose to. You have the opportunity to witness vast landscapes and towns as well as the coast. It’s a fabulous way to see the land of contrast that is Australia simply by just doing your job as a truck driver. If you plan to relocate around Australia, you can still gain work with your HR licence. You can utilise your GPS or Google Maps for navigating to places and you can get really familiar with them. Many employers offer on-the-job training so you can gain vast experience as a truck driver with your HR licence.

The Do’s And Don’ts Of Truck Driving

When commencing I the industry of truck driving with your HR licence or even if you are a seasoned truck driver with an MR or LR licence, there are some do’s and don’ts of truck driving. Once you have your HR licence from Kool Driving School, developing your skills as part of your experience should be at your own pace. To gain traction in your role, having a productive and positive work ethos is important. Most importantly a “do” for truck driving is to put safety as a priority.

One way to gain an advantage in your career is to upskill and diversify both your skills and qualifications. This is great if you want to get a better job in a field you are already in or want to change fields, especially in the transport field. By obtaining your HR Licence, which is your Heavy Rigid Licence, more opportunities in the transport field await and you will not be disappointed. There is such an iconic feeling associated with being the driver of a truck, bus or other types of vehicles that come under the HR Licence. Being a truck driver has a range of freedoms and perks that you just cannot get in other fields of work. While the hours may sometimes be long, you will find that there is flexibility and a sense of freedom from not having a boss looking over your shoulder the whole time while you work. Being on the open road, working up the ranks to get the positions you want and having an office that is constantly on the move, it makes every little bit of effort you invest absolutely worth it. Constantly changing scenery, listening to what you want on the radio and as long as you make deadlines, setting your own driving schedule, getting your HR Licence opens up a world of options.

Staying Safe as a Truck Driver

No matter what your job is, there are perks and pitfalls of every profession, as well as risks that you may not realise. While driving a truck is somewhat a little more risky than being an office worker, there is no reason that you should let that put you off. When you study and train to get your HR Licence or MR licence through Kool Driving School, we ensure that you receive all of the right training so that any risks that you may face as a truck driver are minimised. You will receive all of the appropriate training and learn all the protocols behind operating these types of vehicles so not only once you have your licence you will be knowledgeable about how to stay safe in your work, you will also be confident that you can operate with as little risk as possible. You will learn that you should always check your vehicle at the start of every drive and at regular intervals throughout your tips. These checks include safety checks, checking the load is secured, combined with all of the operational procedures that ensure you are complying with occupational health and safety standards set by your job title and the company you work for. As a driver, the best way to minimise risks yourself are to make sure that you are following the road rules, staying off your phone and also keeping yourself safe just in case by wearing your seatbelt. Getting your MR licence or HR Licence is more than just learning to drive a truck, it is learning be safe, which is why if you are getting tired, you should stop and take a rest. Stay vigilant, stay compliant and that way not only will you keep yourself safe, you will keep all those who you share a road with to.

What Happens Once You Have Your HR Licence

In a one-day course run by our accredited driving school, at Kool Driving School we take on new drivers from the Sydney region and surrounds and everywhere in between to help them get their HR Licence. Getting your HR licence can set you on a trajectory to achieve great things in your career behind these heavy and big vehicles. Getting your HR Licence and working a job where you use this licence will mean that you will be operating large vehicles that come under this sort of compliance, vehicles if handled incorrectly can cause major issues on the road and impact people lives in a drastic and terrible way. That is why we ensure that everybody that receives their HR licence is confident and skilled, so you can also be sure that you are armed with the best skills and knowledge in your new roles driving bigger and heavier vehicles. Keep your licence and qualifications up to date, staying on top of your skills and not being complacent, that is the secret to a long, safe and healthy career with your HR Licence and that is the goal for any driver.